OCTOPUS ENERGY’S BACKERS EYE MOVE INTO UK MOBILE MARKET – Octopus is believed to have engaged at least one of the major network providers via Fern Trading
The multibillion-pound investment group behind Octopus Energy is considering launching a new mobile network, potentially shaking up Britain’s telecoms industry.
Octopus Group, which helped establish the UK’s largest energy supplier a decade ago, is planning an entry into mobile services to compete against the market’s dominant players—soon to be reduced to three.
Rather than building its own infrastructure, the proposed mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) would operate by leasing network access from one of the established providers: BT-owned EE, Virgin Media O2, Vodafone, or Three.
The UK already hosts numerous MVNOs, often offering lower-cost plans or niche packages. However, most of these brands are ultimately controlled by the major networks, and few independent companies from outside the telecoms space have successfully entered the market in recent years. Notable examples include Superdrug Mobile (launched in 2018) and supermarket brands Asda Mobile and Tesco Mobile, launched in 2007 and 2003 respectively.
Octopus is believed to have engaged at least one of the major network providers via Fern Trading, a subsidiary with a portfolio of telecoms assets, to explore partnership options.
Sources suggest the plans are connected to Y Corporation, a lesser-known mobile company owned by Fern Trading, which currently holds a wholesale agreement with Three’s network.
Y Corporation is reportedly investigating the launch of eSIM-only contracts for both business clients and individual consumers. In a move to strengthen its leadership, the company appointed former TalkTalk consumer division boss Adam Dunlop as a director in January to spearhead the expansion.
